CDBG Allocation Process

Marin County will receive about $1.8 million in CDBG funds this year. After subtracting administrative expenses, the funds are divided so that 40% goes to housing on a countywide basis and the remaining 60% goes to six local planning areas for housing, capital, and public service projects. At least 30% of each planning area's funds must be used for housing.

In November, staff holds a workshop during which we explain the CDBG regulations, talk to potential applicants, and learn what the public sees as priorities.

Applications were due at the Marin County Community Development Agency at 5:00 pm, on Friday, December 9, 2011. In late December, CDBG staff begins reviewing applications, requesting additional information if needed, and making staff recommendations about which projects should be funded. (City of San Rafael staff will review applications for San Rafael Planning Area funds.)

Typically, the requests for CDBG assistance total more than three times the amount of funds available. Because of the competition for limited funds, many applicants cannot be recommended for funding and many are recommended for funding at less than the amounts they requested. Competition is most intense in the public service category.

Most planning areas have a Local Area Committee, consisting of a County Supervisor from that area and one City or Town Council member from each of the cities and towns within the area. During February and March, each of the Local Area Committees holds a hearing to make recommendations for the use of planning area funds. The San Rafael and the Novato City Councils now serve as the Local Area Committees for the their Planning Areas, and San Rafael and Novato Planning Area funds now include their share of CDBG Countywide Housing funds.

The Countywide Priority Setting Committee, consisting of one County Supervisor and a representative from each of the City and Town Councils, then holds a hearing to consider the recommendations made for the local planning area funds, and to make the initial recommendations for Countywide Housing funds.

Then, in early May, the Board of Supervisors holds a final public hearing on all the recommendations of the Countywide Priority Setting Committee for both planning area and countywide housing funds. In mid-May, the County sends its annual list of projects to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.